Lay-in ceiling speaker

Abstract

A light weight fully assembled speaker enclosure is provided that includes a backbox having a peripheral edge; a grill that is crimped around the peripheral edge of the backbox, and a sound-baffle sheet disposed between the backbox and the grill, the sound-baffle sheet having an opening for placement of a speaker. Also provided is a speaker system having an audio speaker; a backbox having a peripheral edge; a grill that is crimped around the peripheral edge of the backbox and that is affixed to the speaker; and a sound-baffle sheet disposed between the backbox and the grill, the sound-baffle sheet having an opening for placement of the speaker.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to co-pending provisional patent application Ser. No. 60 / 211,574, filed Jun. 15, 2000, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to speakers for placement in ceilings, walls, and the like. The present invention is specifically directed to a low profile, lightweight, fully assembled lay-in speaker system which replaces a standard ceiling tile.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Conventional speakers oftentimes require holes to be cut in a ceiling tile so that the speakers can be placed in the holes. Cutting ceiling tiles is messy, costly, and time-consuming. It also decreases the structural integrity of the ceiling tile. Conventional speakers also require substantial expense of time and labor for the installation, and cost in terms of hardware required for mounting.[0004]Access to conventionally mounted speakers is...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]Also provided is a speaker system having a speaker, a backbox having a peripheral edge, a grill that is crimped around the peripheral edge of the backbox and to which is affixed a speaker, and a sound-baffle sheet disposed between the backbox and the grill. The crimping of the grill serves several other purposes. It makes a nearly airtight seal with the grill and sound-baffle sheet, which minimizes possible smoke seepage between the room and the ceiling. Further, it prevents sound waves from the front of the speaker from entering the enclosure and canceling at various frequency points. The sound-baffle sheet has an opening in it to accommodate the speaker.

[0009]Crimping the grill over the backbox increases the strength of the backbox, thereby providing structural integrity both to the grill and backbox. In addition, the backbox preferably is made of a material that has good high temperature insulation properties to achieve a three-hour burn rating.

[0010]The speaker system of the present invention offers a number of other advantages over speakers known to the prior art. Because of its size and dimensions, there is no need to cut ceiling tiles to accommodate the speaker, which eliminates the mess and difficulty normally present with installing speaker systems in ceilings. The lay-in speaker system also provides easy access for maintenance and repair by providing access through adjacent ceiling tiles. The speaker system also provides an inconspicuous front accessible volume control for the speaker. In addition, the integral backbox meets or exceeds ASTM E84 flame and smoke test with 3 hour burn.

Problems solved by technology

Cutting ceiling tiles is messy, costly, and time-consuming.

It also decreases the structural integrity of the ceiling tile.

Conventional speakers also require substantial expense of time and labor for the installation, and cost in terms of hardware required for mounting.

Access to conventionally mounted speakers is also problematic.

Particularly in large buildings, such as theaters or offices, access to conventionally mounted speakers for cleaning, maintenance, and adjustment is cumbersome and labor intensive.

Additionally, individual speaker volume control is not readily accessible for conventionally mounted speakers.

Furthermore, conventional speakers are heavy, thereby requiring additional support, such as wire hangers, to connect the speaker to the ceiling.

In addition, conventional speaker do not provide a minimum three-hour burn rating.

While building codes require burn-resistant materials to be used in ceiling tiles themselves, building and fire codes do not require burn-resistant materials to be used in speakers, creating a potential fire hazard.

Conventional backboxes are made of a metal, such as steel, which do not provide a three-hour burn rating.

Thus, a fire hazard exists wherever a conventional speaker is located.

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